This is a collaborative project between the following institutions: Hawaii Community College, College of Southern Nevada, and Northern Marianas College. While growing partnerships is a crucial aspect higher education research and development efforts, the collaborating institutions have experienced numerous situations where informal partnerships are developed only to be compromised by inactivity, lack of proper communications and management to sustain long term relationships. The collaborating institutions are committed to establish stronger partnerships by developing opportunities with stakeholders in AgTech, Agroforestry and Environmental Science for the development of skilled workforce and improve the economic health of their respective regions.
The collaborating institutions will develop formalized and sustainable partnerships via agreements and the direct participation of partners within their respective institutions; provide dedicated staffing to ensure meaningful engagement with partners by setting regular meetings and short-term and long-term goals that ensures meaningful relationships and tangible outcomes; and ensure proper tracking of partnership projects via development of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) applications that ensure relationships and projects between partnerships are properly tracked and recorded.
College of Southern Nevada
Through the CIRCLET project, the College of Southern Nevada is focused on strengthening its engagement with regional partners in agriculture and environmental sciences to support economic and workforce development. CSN is addressing challenges in sustaining partnerships by establishing formal agreements, staffing for relationship management, and implementing systems to ensure accountability and progress tracking. These steps will build a foundation for long-term collaboration and expand innovation capacity in Southern Nevada.
Hawaii Community College
Hawai‘i Community College is advancing its capacity to build long-term, impactful partnerships in AgTech, agroforestry, and environmental science through the CIRCLET initiative. By formalizing industry relationships, dedicating staff to partnership management, and implementing a CRM system to track engagement, the college aims to foster a more resilient and skilled workforce. These efforts support sustainable regional development and position Hawai‘i CC as a key contributor to Hawaii’s innovation ecosystem.
Northern Marianas College
Northern Marianas College is participating in the CIRCLET project to create a sustainable model for institutional partnerships that promote research and workforce development in life-sustaining technologies. With dedicated staff and tools to track and manage partner engagement, NMC aims to build lasting relationships that align educational efforts with regional economic needs. The initiative will strengthen the college’s role in advancing AgTech and environmental innovation across the Mariana Islands.